Friends turn tragedy into teaching opportunity

With high school prom season getting into full swing, two Illinois State University students, from just east of the Quad Cities are delivering a message to students. Don’t drink and drive. A tragedy has given them a new mission to honor their friend’s life.

On March 29, 2014, three ISU students were enjoying an evening at a semi-formal. Not wanting to drink and drive, one of the students, Michael Collins called a friend to give them a ride home.

“We weren’t even the ones drinking and driving. We were the responsible ones,” said Ali Seys, one of the passengers.

Within minutes a drunk driver who was speeding, ran a red light, and hit them. Seys and the driver walked away okay, but Collins lost his life four days later after having several brain surgeries. Collins, a senior, was getting ready to graduate with a degree in exercise science.

“He was contagious, like his smile and his personality, as soon as you saw him you just caught onto that smile,” said Seys.

Tawni Ricketts who is wheelchair-bound for now, broke her lower back and has several other fractures from the accident.

“It’s just really important to treasure your life and the friends with you because you never know what could happen,” said Seys.